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General News of Sunday, 9 February 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Forgive one another, Simon Lalong begs farmers, herders

Simon Lalong Simon Lalong

Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong has urged farmers and herders to forgive each other as part of efforts to esnure peace reigns in the state.

According to the governor, all effort towards peace in the state is being frustrated by the lack of forgiveness between farmers and herders.

Lalong stated this while speaking at the 2nd Forgiveness and Reconciliation Day organized to promote peace between farmers and herders in the state.

“For us in Plateau State, the desire to provide a leadership that inspires confidence and motivates the people to work towards peaceful coexistence and development has been our focus since the inception of our rescue administration in 2015.” He, however, said, “This is not to suggest that people should pretend that bad things did not happen, or that people are still not living with the scars and losses that were recorded in the crises that engulfed our beloved state some years back.

“All I am pleading for now is forgiveness and reconciliation.

“On behalf of all citizens of the state, including farmers and herders, I sincerely tender an apology for the huge and unquantifiable losses you may have encountered in the past conflicts.”

He stated that people who fled the state are beginning to return due to his administration's pursuit of policies that promote peace.

He, however, noted that “the state is still faced with some security challenges due to the activities of criminals,” adding that “it is my expectations that from this reconciliation programme, people will soberly reflect to forgive one another and seek reconciliation of the bad things of the past.

“As we mark the Second Annual Forgiveness Day, we are conscious of the efforts that have been put in to ensure that our people live in peace and harmony, as well as find a new narrative that does not only prevent conflict but also encourages dialogue and reconciliation,” the governor said.